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HERO ID
2396721
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Optimization of parameters in preparation of PCM microcapsules based on melamine formaldehyde through dispersion polymerization
Author(s)
Khakzad, F; Alinejad, Z; Shirin-Abadi, AR; Ghasemi, M; Mahdavian, AliR
Year
2014
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Colloid and Polymer Science
ISSN:
0303-402X
EISSN:
1435-1536
Volume
292
Issue
2
Page Numbers
355-368
DOI
10.1007/s00396-013-3076-9
Web of Science Id
WOS:000331207200008
Abstract
Microencapsulated phase change materials have attracted special attention due to their wide applications in saving and releasing energy. Here, microencapsulation of hexadecane (HD) in melamine formaldehyde shell was carried out through in situ dispersion polymerization in the aqueous media. Some important parameters such as stabilizer type and amount, surfactant amount, homogenization conditions as the critical affective factors on final particle size, morphology, and thermal resistance of the microcapsules were investigated extensively. The obtained microcapsules were concurrently analyzed by SEM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. SEM images showed that the best stabilization was achieved by polyvinyl alcohol. Also, particle size, as an indication of surface area for heat transfer properties, showed a decrement by increasing stabilizer amount, surfactant amount, and homogenization speed. The amount of entrapped HD and efficiencies of microencapsulation were determined by DSC, and the reason for observing such changes were discussed in detail. Thermal stability of the microcapsules as an important property for their performance was investigated, too. The results illustrated that an improved thermal stability would be obtained by an efficient stabilization in the emulsification step. Also the highest thermal stability up to 388 A degrees C was reached at homogenization speed of 6,000 rpm. Finally, the optimized conditions for desirable encapsulation were proposed in such systems.
Keywords
Microencapsulation; Dispersion polymerization; Morphology; Phase change material; Melamine formaldehyde
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